Nice to see Vince using the long-lead promos again - and I can't recall the last time someone used a totalitarian Oriental heel character. I don't know how the Oriental territories will take this, though - certain countries do not harbor fond memories of the brutal WWII-era Japanese.

Originally posted by StephanieNice to see Vince using the long-lead promos again - and I can't recall the last time someone used a totalitarian Oriental heel character I don't know how the Oriental territories will take this, though - certain countries do not harbor fond memories of the brutal WWII-era Japanese.

Myself, I'm hoping they actually give this character some true depth, a la Kane or Mankind. I just hope they don't give him a generic "Anti-American" gimmick, because if they do, a year from now he'll be tagging with La Resistance as "The Un-Americans V.2", and that is something I do NOT want to see.

Originally posted by MonteThis angle could work if they choose a guy with the right look. I don't want a cruiserweight being portrayed as some evil foreigner... they just aren't taken seriously.

For those of you curious, this is from the RAW thread:

Originally posted by thecubsfanHorihito will be Kenzo Suzuki, a former NJPW and World Japan wrestler with a rugby background. While things could've have changed since then, he wasn't very good in the ring.

Well, the dude's certainly got the look. And without having the benefit of actually watching video of him, those moves look very crisp.

I'm curious to see how he does. I think the World War II-era gimmick might be ill-advised, because it's important to remember that the U.S. wasn't exactly entirely honorable during the war, rounding up Japanese-Americans and putting them into internment camps. In heavily Asian-American markets, like San Francisco and Houston, the heel Hirohito would no doubt get a tremendous face reaction. And if Hirohito (or his manager, if Hirohito doesn't speak English) actually makes reference to the internment camps, that could be another piece of history that would trigger some controversy.

Don't get me wrong. I think that part of our history is disgraceful and ridiculous, and certainly shouldn't be forgotten about. I just think that WWE, at times, creates controversy for its own sake, and not with the intention of raising the level of debate.

Anyway... those are just some of the implications I thought of. But I'm definitely going into this thing with an open mind. And hey, if it turns out Hirohito's a good wrestler, that's wonderful news. WWE can use all the good wrestlers it can get its hands on. Especially since they've pissed away guys like Val Venis and D'Lo Brown.

“Chris Benoit, finally, is the Heavyweight Champion of this world!”--Jim Ross, WrestleMania XX

Wiener of the Day Title History:

Won the title on 5/27/02 from Lunacy in a hardcore match; lost the belt the following day to wheresitat42 via offbeat shenanigans

Regained the title on 7/3/02 by pinning SKLOKAZOID in a triple-threat match; lost the belt the next day to NickBockwinkelFan via heel chicanery

Oh, and so much for Suzuki ending up being managed by Funaki on Smackdown. I really liked that idea!

Conceivably, the promos could appear on both shows and "Hirohito" (geez, I can't believe they're using that name....what next, a German wrestler called Hitler? A Russian guy called Stalin?) could get an initial push just from the fact that both brands would be bidding for his services.

THE QUEST FOR LORD STANLEY'S CUPTied for 9th: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Vancouver CanucksTied for 5th:Tied for 3rd:Second:The Champion:

Oh, and so much for Suzuki ending up being managed by Funaki on Smackdown. I really liked that idea!

Conceivably, the promos could appear on both shows and "Hirohito" (geez, I can't believe they're using that name....what next, a German wrestler called Hitler? A Russian guy called Stalin?) could get an initial push just from the fact that both brands would be bidding for his services.

And how long before whoever Hirohito's feuding with, brings in Adam Bomb to finally end the rivalry?...

Wheel of Morality, turn turn turn. Tell us the lesson that we should learn.

Originally posted by Sean Carless

Originally posted by Big Bad

Oh, and so much for Suzuki ending up being managed by Funaki on Smackdown. I really liked that idea!

Conceivably, the promos could appear on both shows and "Hirohito" (geez, I can't believe they're using that name....what next, a German wrestler called Hitler? A Russian guy called Stalin?) could get an initial push just from the fact that both brands would be bidding for his services.

And how long before whoever Hirohito's feuding with, brings in Adam Bomb to finally end the rivalry?...

I will admit, without shame, that that made me howl with laughter. HOWL.

Oh, and so much for Suzuki ending up being managed by Funaki on Smackdown. I really liked that idea!

Conceivably, the promos could appear on both shows and "Hirohito" (geez, I can't believe they're using that name....what next, a German wrestler called Hitler? A Russian guy called Stalin?) could get an initial push just from the fact that both brands would be bidding for his services.

And how long before whoever Hirohito's feuding with, brings in Adam Bomb to finally end the rivalry?...

If the character lasts long enough, how about SummerSlam 2005 - the closest PPV to the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?